August 5 - Updates on COVID-19
Section 1
CAMPUS SNAPSHOT
Blooms in Aldrich Park. Photo by Steve Zylius/UCI.
UCI UPDATES
Parking permits at UCI
Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 1, valid parking permits must be displayed for on-campus parking. For questions regarding your commute or parking needs, please email parking@uci.edu or visit the frequently asked questions on UCI’s coronavirus website, where they are broken out in the following sections: “returning to campus,” “staff” and “students.”
UCI COVID-19 NEWS AND STORIES
UCI scientists get ‘initial hit’ in developing drug to treat COVID-19
When the coronavirus pandemic hit, almost everyone at UCI – and colleges across the nation – had to abandon campus. But James Nowick, professor of chemistry, was not a part of that exodus. That’s because his lab, which designs and constructs chemical molecules, had the right equipment to help in the global push to find treatments for COVID-19.
Navigating COVID-19 in daily life
The once-in-a-lifetime coronavirus pandemic is stretching us to our limits physically, financially and emotionally. Stay-at-home orders to prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 has disrupted many of the things we do to manage our stress, especially being able to share time and good food with family and friends. One of the biggest complaints UCI Health infectious disease expert Dr. Shruti Gohilhears from patients is that they’re unable to socialize in restaurants, bars and large gatherings. Yet those are the very activities that pose the greatest risk for exposure to the virus, says Gohil, associate medical director of epidemiology and infection prevention for UCI Health.
UCI COVID-19 VIRTUAL EVENTS
Ask the chef live: basic meal prep from home
Join Anteater Test Kitchen Virtual Nutrition Events for August. Nutrition is an important part of overall wellness. UCI Campus Recreation has partnered with UCI HR Wellness to support the UCI community by offering many virtual nutrition and cooking education opportunities. The next event takes place Friday, Aug. 7, at 11:30 a.m. Tune into “Ask the Chef live” for a discussion on formulas for basic meal prep that you can do at home from bowls and dips to smoothies and desserts. Registration is required.
UC UPDATES
Meet members of a historic University of California class
This year, as the University of California faces rising calls on a number of fronts to operate more equitably, it achieved a milestone: For the first time in the university’s history, Chicano/Latino students made up the greatest share of Californians admitted to the freshman class, 36 percent.
HOPE, INSPIRATION, LAUGHTER
Amid the heartbreaking loss of life and economic hardship wrought by the coronavirus, we recognize the need for stories of kindness, hope, courage and humor.
Comic unites diverse communities through laughter
Comedy helps ease tense conversations, and whether he is on stage or on screen, opposite Rita Wilson, Iranian American artist Maz Jobrani always finds a way to use humor to bring people together. But these days, while comedy clubs and production sets have halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Maz is still creatively providing laughter through virtual experiences.
COMMUNITY UPDATES & NEWS
Note: Some news organizations require subscriptions to read articles. The UCI Libraries offer free subscriptions to The New York Times and Wall Street Journal for students, faculty and staff.
U.S. to launch 2 new antibody treatment trials for COVID-19 patients
The NIH announced today it is launching two advanced trials to test monoclonal antibodies in patients with COVID-19, one for patients with mild disease and another for patients who are hospitalized.
NIH delivering new COVID-19 testing technologies to meet U.S. demand
The NIH is investing $248.7 million in new technologies to address challenges associated with COVID-19 testing.
OC positive testing rates decline
The percentage of Orange County residents testing positive for coronavirus appears to be on the decline. In the past week, about 8% of residents that tested for COVID-19 tested positive, the percentage is down from 11.7% the week prior.
Blizzard reports pandemic-boosted earnings
Activision Blizzard Inc., the parent company of Irvine-based Blizzard Entertainment, reported second-quarter earnings that far outpaced expectations, due in large part to gamers staying home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Moderna plans to price COVID-19 vaccine under $40
Moderna announced that it’s on track to finish enrollment for its phase 3 study and plans to eventually price the vaccine between $32 and $37 per dose.
NCAA releases guidelines for potential cancelation of fall sports
The NCAA board of governors released guidelines for how programs are to proceed with fall sports. The guidelines include guaranteeing scholarships to student-athletes that opt out of the season. The NCAA left it up to the respective divisions to decide by Aug. 21 whether to hold the seasons and championship events.
Updated guidelines for youth and school-based sports in Calif.
The California Department of Public Health released guidelines for the return of youth and school-based sports. The updates prohibit games from being played but approved of physical conditioning and skill training with 6 feet of social distancing. Activities should be held outside if possible and if indoor workouts are needed, masks should be worn.
Clorox posted its highest sales growth in ‘modern history’ last fiscal year
The consumer goods company, whose brand name is virtually synonymous with bleach, saw organic sales growth of 24 percent in the fourth quarter and fiscal year organic sales increase by 10 percent. All four of the company’s segments, which include cleaning, household, lifestyle and international, were up double digits.
Knott’s Scary Farm 2020 canceled due to coronavirus
The 48th Halloween Haunt separate-admission event will not return this season as Knott’s Berry Farm awaits COVID-19 guidelines for safely reopening California theme parks that have yet to be released by the state. Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood, Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure and Dark Harbor at the Queen Mary have already canceled their separate-admission seasonal events.
Orange County elementary schools could reopen for classroom learning
Orange County elementary schools could reopen for classroom teaching if parents, teachers and community groups sign off on the plans, along with interim OC health officer Dr. Clayton Chau. The department recommends no reopenings for elementary schools in counties that have exceeded 200 positive cases per 100,000 people. Orange County’s case rate now sits at 115 per 100,000 people, after it hovered around 225 a couple weeks ago, according to the county Health Care Agency.
Women are maxing out and burning out during COVID-19
In findings that are part of ongoing Leanin.org and SurveyMonkey research on how COVID-19 is affecting women’s finances, job security, home life and overall well-being, women are more likely than men to be experiencing symptoms of stress and burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty-five percent of women have had physical symptoms of severe anxiety, such as racing heartbeat, compared to 11 percent of men.
UCI IN THE NEWS - COVID-19 Article List
Daily Pilot, Aug. 4, 2020
UC Irvine launches state’s first public pharmacy school in almost two decades
Wired, Aug. 5, 2020
Your income predicts how well you can socially distance
Reason, Aug. 4, 2020
Trump’s warnings about voting by mail mix reasonable concerns with fanciful conspiracy theories
Axios, Aug. 5, 2020
An election like no other
Orange County Register, Aug. 5, 2020
How accurate are Orange County’s COVID hospital stats
Orange County Register, Aug. 4, 2020
Chapman University will start its school year remotely
Voice of OC, Aug. 4, 2020
Orange County elementary schools could reopen for classroom learning
Yahoo (AFP), Aug. 4, 2020
Election 2020: Trump fights virus-driven push for vote-by-mail
MORE INFORMATION
OC-COVID19.org - powered by UCI and UCI Health, a website devoted to providing timely, useful, evidence-based information about the novel coronavirus pandemic to our friends and neighbors across Orange County
UCI Coronavirus Information Hub - more information on campus status and operational updates
UCI Health COVID-19 Updates - important information related to UCI Health